Q-Tips Up My Nose

The last several times I've visited my Otolaryngologist, he has taken two long wooden sticks with a little cotton q-tip end on them, dipped them in some kind of solution, and stuck both of them up my nose.

After a couple minutes, he removes the sticks and my nasal cavity is cleaned right out. I would love to do this myself.

What kind of solution might he be using? What kinds of liquids are save for cleaning out my nasal cavity in this fashion? How far should the wooden q-tips go up my nose?